Puzzle



(No Model.)

W. BUSH. PUZZLE.

PatentedMar, 22, 1892-.

UNITED STATES Fnrnivr @FFICE.

WILLIAM ROSE, OF OHESTERTOWVN, MARYLAND.

PUZZLE.

SJPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 471,228, dated March22, 1892. Application filed October 3, 1891. fierial No. 407,649. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM Ross, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Chestertown, in the county of Kentand State of Maryland,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of puzzles or games embodying atable and a series of balls or marbles designed to be placed atdeterminate points by manipulating the table.

The object of the invention is to provide a simply-constructed puzzle orgame of this class of a highly-interesting character and which can bemanufactured and supplied at slight cost.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the-table. Fig. 2 isa plan view thereof, illustrating the marbles or balls in their initialposition. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the balls or marbles in theposition they occupy at one solution of the puzzle or game. Fig. 4 is asectional view of the table, taken on the liner/c at, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 isa similar view illustrating a modification in the construction of thetable.

Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same letters ofreference.

Referring'to the drawings, A designates the table, which consists of aflat board or plate of rectangular or other shape. At the upper face ofthe board is provided an annular channel B, intersected by the ends oftwo diametrical channels 0 D, the latter being arranged at right anglesto each other and intersecting at the center of the field inclosedwithin the channel I).

In the space formed at the point of intersection of the diametricalchannels 0 and D is provided a depression or shallow recess orreceptacle E, and centrally within the channel B, opposite each point ofintersection of the channels 0 and D therewith, is provided a similardepression or recess F. A sixth depression or recess G is provided inthe channel D centrally between the depression E and the nearestdepression F, the purpose of which arrangement will appear farther on.

To complete the device, a series of spherical bodies-such as balls ormarbles-is provided, corresponding in number to the depressions upon thetable, said balls or marbles being distinguished as pairs andindividually by coloring or any other desired planof marking.

The object to be attained is to seat by manipulating the table any twopredetermined balls or marbles, respectively, within the depressions Eand G and the remaining ones within the depressions F. To lendadditional interest tothe puzzle or game, I prefer that it shallrepresent a presidential contest. To this end I mark the depression Ewith the letter P, denoting the presidential office, and the depressionGwith the compound 1etters VT, denoting the vice-presidential office, thedepressions F being used for seating the defeated candidates. The ballsor marbles are marked with the names of prominent politicians or withany other individual distinction by which they may be identified. In thepresent instance three political parties are represented by thefollowing names and candidates: Democratic, by Cleveland and Hill;Republican, by Elaine and Harrison, and Alliance, by Peffer and Simpson.

At the beginning of the game the balls or marbles representing thecandidates are placed in the annular channel B in such relation that notwo candidates of the same political faith are together. The operatorthen selects thecandidates of the preferred political party and thendetermines the respective offices which it is desired they shall occupy.The table is then manipulated by tilting in the desired manner to seatthe designated balls or marbles in the depressions marked P and V-P, andwhen this has been accomplished the remaining balls or marblesrepresenting the defeated candidates are to be disposed of in the samemanner in the depressions F and without dislodging those previouslydisposed of. k

I do not wish to be understood as limitin myself to the precisearrangement of thechan nels and depressions or the number thereof asherein shown. For instance, the number of diametrical grooves anddepressions may be increased or diminished at will without departingfrom the spirit and scope of my in vention, the essential features beingthe provision of two depressions at intricate points with relation tothe channels, two or more supplementary depressions, and balls ormarbles corresponding in number to the depressions and individuallydistinguished. It will be further obvious that the construction of thetable may be varied and the channels provided in any suitable manner.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified form of table, in which the latter ismade of sheet metal or card-board, the channels or depressions beingformed by stamping the same therein. I therefore reserve the right toall such modifications as properly fall within the province of myinvention.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a puzzle of the class described, thecombination, with a table provided with an annular channel, one or morediametricallyarranged channels intersecting the latter, and a series ofdepressions located one centrally within the space bounded by saidannular channel, another midway between the centrally-arrangeddepression and the annular channel, and the remainder within the latterchannel, of a series of spheres or marbles corresponding in number tosaid depressions and individually distinguished, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

2; In a puzzle of the class described, the combination, with a tableprovided with an annular channel, one or more diametricallyarrangedchannels intersecting the latter, and a series of depressions locatedone centrally within the space bounded by the annular channel, anothermidway between said centrally-arranged depression and the annularchannel, and the remainder within the latter channel and opposite thediametrical channel or channels, of a series of spheres or marblescorresponding in number to the depressions and individuallydistinguished, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a puzzle of the class described, the combination, with a tableprovided with an annular channel, two diametrically-arranged channelsintersecting the latter and arranged at right angles to each other, anda series of six depressions located one at the point of intersection ofthe diametrical channels, another in one of the latter midway betweensaid central depression and the annular channel, and the remainingdepressions within the latter channel and at points opposite the ends ofthe diametrical channels, of a series of six spheres or marblesdistinguished both as pairs and individually, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.V

\VILLIAM ROSE. VVituesses:

WM. J. LITTELL, J. R. LITTELL.

